YOUR CART

2016-2017

Evaluating society’s view on women

​How this generation is taking a stance on complex issues

Tara MurrayJournalism Student

The Women's March on Washington. Photo: Cara Dellapa

When it comes to how society views women, it can be the small things that make a large impact. Women are seen much differently than men are, and are held to completely different standards in almost every aspect of life. Every generation has had different perspectives on women, and this generation of women has taken a stance against things such as gender roles, wage gaps, standards, and much more. This year, women around the globe marched to campaign how they felt about society’s standards. Some of Freedom High School’s own students participated in the Women's March on Washington D.C. “It was a great and empowering experience,” said Cara Dellapa, sophomore. Things like marching for women's rights are what make this generation different from past generations. Gender roles and stereotyping are ideas this generation has seemed to take a strong stance on. People advocate for equal treatment between genders; spreading awareness that everybody should be treated equally, regardless of gender or sex. Most girls grow up learning what is not “ladylike,” and what society frowns upon them doing. Some examples would be the way a girl sits or talks, what sports she chooses to play, and career aspirations she might have. “Children were taught at a young age [about] gender roles, including girls being seen as weak or unable to do as many things as men. On the flip side, men can be discriminated against too,” said Lauren Pontoriero, sophomore Girls being seen as weaker than men can be seen in the famous saying, “you throw like a girl.” Those few words that seem insignificant can actually show how society stereotypes girls. Sayings like that seem to be said less and less as years pass by, especially because of how many people are standing against this type of stereotyping. Although many women are still campaigning for completely fair treatment, looking back, the evolution of society's view on women is amazing. It has come so far. In history, women were not allowed to vote, but now some of the most successful people in the world are women, like Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Adele, and many more.

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The Freedom Forum is an award-winning high school publication at Freedom High School in the Bethlehem Area School District in Pennsylvania. The organization publishes approximately 8 issues per school year and reports on local, as well as world, events. ​